FINGERPRINT ANALYSIS

Basic Equipment required for capturing fingerprints:

1. Inking Plate

2. Cardholder

3. Printer’s Ink

4. Roller

There are three different types of prints:

1. Visible of Patent
   
   Inked Prints

2. Molded or Plastic Prints
   
   Plastic Print

3. Latent Prints
   
   Hidden print

The Breakdown

A fingerprint is an impression of the underside of the end of a finger or thumb used for identification because the arrangement of ridges in any fingerprint is thought to be unique and permanent with each person (no two persons having the same prints have ever been found). Palm prints and footprints are also used, especially for identification of infants. Traditionally, impressions have been taken from a person using ink and paper, but in live-scan fingerprinting electronic images produced by a video scanner are converted by computer into binary codes, which can be more readily compared.

Three General Fingerprint Pattern Types:

1. ARCH-Ridges enter one side and exit the opposite side
   

• Two types of arch fingerprints:

  1. Plain: An Arch fingerprint has ridges that enter from one side, rise to a slight bump and exit out the opposite side from which they entered.
     
      

  2. Tented:  A Tented Arch fingerprint is similar to the (plain) Arch except that at least one ridge stands at an angle of 45 degrees or more.
     
      

2. LOOP-Ridges enter one side and exit the same side

• Tye types loop fingerprints:

3.      WHORL- A Whorl fingerprint contains at least one ridge that makes a complete 360-degree circuit around the center of the print.

Fingerprint information graciously provided by:
http://www.geradts.com/anil/ij/vol_002_no_001/papers/paper005.html
This paper contains an overview of the science of fingerprints.
It is designed for novices, or as a tool for experts to use when educating general audiences.

Informational Links:

Crime Scene Database
Blood Stain Analysis
Firearm Evidence
Fingerprint Analysis